Kenneth Faried Leaves Game With Sprained Left Ankle (VIDEO)

The Denver Nuggets’ franchise record 55th win was marred by the loss of Kenneth Faried — the springy forward badly rolled his left ankle in the opening minutes of a 118-109 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, and was carried to the locker room. Per the Denver Post: “Given a chance to state his case, Nuggets coach George Karl places this team, the 2012-13 Nuggets, among the top three in NBA franchise history — with a chance to enhance the position. ‘I think it’s top three, from what I know about Denver,’ Karl said. ‘I think the year we had (in 2009), the one year Doug (Moe) had (1987-88) and this year. You can argue whatever you want to argue. … And I think that argument is probably going to be more definitive from how we play in the playoffs.’ The playoffs can’t come fast enough. Because while the Nuggets were busy setting a franchise record for victories in a season with Sunday’s harder-than-it-had-to-be 118-109 win over a Portland team that started four rookies, it also was dampened a bit because of an injury. Starting power forward Kenneth Faried went down in the first quarter with a sprained left ankle and did not return. Though he’s considered day to day, Faried did not make the trip to Milwaukee for Monday night’s game and is scheduled to get an MRI exam. ‘I tried to power up and stepped on Will’s foot when I tried to go,’ Faried said, referring to Portland’s Will Barton. ‘Just twisted it. I’m relieved it ain’t a break.’ Asked if he thought he’d be ready for the playoffs, Faried said, ‘I’m going to play.'”